Page 67 of Right Next Door
Anger, raw and choking, powered Tsok’s limbs as he stalked into his manor. His robes were still open, billowing behind him with each furious step. He hadn’t bothered to tie it back. He hadn’t even bothered to finish eating before storming out of the orbital and back to his shuttle.
He couldn’t even let Misty finish the food, because he had no idea what might have been cross contaminated with those damn righsling berries.
Berries he didn't know she couldn’t have. But apparently Davard did. And his aid never once said a word to him about it.
Even though his mate had very nearly died because of it!
“Davard!” He roared, stomping through the manor, heading for his aid’s room. Davard lived at the manor, and this time of day, if he wasn’t in his office, that’s where he would be. And since Tsok had given him the afternoon off while he was with Misty, it was the first place he’d look.
“Tsok,” Misty called, chasing after him. Her high-heeled shoes clicking against the tile as she struggled to keep up.
“Davard! Get out here!” Tsok bellowed, turning into the hallway where he rested.
Sure enough, the door to his room slid open and Davard came out, still in a lounging robe, a confused look on his face, his ears already back with contrition.
“Honored char?” He greeted him cautiously, eyes darting between him and Misty. “Is there something wrong?”
“You did not tell me Misty nearly died!” Tsok roared, stopping right in front of him, so close their muzzles were nearly touching. “My mate was this close to death, and you did not see the need to share that information with me?”
“What are you…” He blinked as his memories caught up with him. And Tsok had to resist the urge to slam his fist into the older male’s face. How did he not remember immediately? How was it not the single most vital thing on his mind. “You mean the righsling berries?”
“You knew and you didn't feel the need to tell anyone?”
Davard frowned, affronted. “I did tell someone. I informed the staff, especially those in the kitchen. All berries and anything derived or created from them have been banned from Fellbud Manor.”
“Well, at least you’ve donethatmuch. Is there any reason you didn't feel the need to informmeof this event.”
“You told me not to.”
Unprepared for that simply spoken response, Tsok blinked once before snapping, “When did I ever tell you that?”
“You told me not to tell you anything unimportant about the charina that I could not handle.”
Tsok stared at him, stunned.
“I handled it,” Davard said, like it was that easy. “There was nothing in that situation that needed your approval or oversight,and she was released from the healer without any permanent damage, so I considered it to be unimportant. As you said.”
“That is not what I-”
The words choked in Tsok’s throat. Because that was definitelynotwhat he intended when he gave Davard that order. But he also couldn’t say he was wrong, because Davard had no mate. He didn't understand the deep seated need to make sure she was safe. He took Tsok at his word and couldn’t imagine why a fully treated medical concern needed to be reported – even if it was one that had almost taken his mate from him.
Tsok leveled a finger at him. “You will tell me if anything happens to harm my mate. I do not care how treatable, temporary, or trivial it may be to you. Do you understand me?”
“As you say, honored char,” Davard agreed, but he still looked confused.
And Tsok couldn’t even be angry at him for it. Not when he was so furious at himself.
Turning, he caught sight of Misty behind him. Of the confused look in her eyes. Because she believed he heard she almost died and just didn't care. Not even enough to check up on her. And the guilt of that was eating him alive from the inside out.
Stalking past, he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her after him. Shortening his stride so it wasn’t so difficult for her to keep up but taking her along with him to his room.
He had to apologize to her.
He had to explain…
He couldn’t explain this. It was no wonder she had been so furious. So irate. She refused to tell him about this because she didn't want him to try to earn forgiveness. Because what he had done, what she thought he had done, was unforgivable.
He was shocked she’d even given him the time of day after that. She was well within her rights to completely cut him from her life.
